A 3-1 win by the Chicago White Sox over the Tampa Bay Rays Friday, combined with the Detroit Tigers loss to the Minnesota Twins, helped Chicago move to within a game of first place in the AL Central standings.

The White Sox entered Friday's game with three straight losses, but Gavin Floyd (11-11, 4.47 ERA) was able to pitch his way out of trouble for five innings and the White Sox bullpen shut down Tampa Bay for the rest of the game.

Floyd allowed just one earned run, on a home run by Ben Zobrist in the first inning. He did walk five batters, but he also struck out six in his five innings of work.

The White Sox tied the game at 1-1 in the third on an RBI-single by Kevin Youkilis. Alex Rios broke the tie with a solo home run in the fourth, and Alexei Ramirez added an insurance run with an RBI-single in the sixth.

Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (9-11, 3.20 ERA) gave up three runs and nine hits in 5.2 innings. Addison Reed got the final two outs in the ninth inning for his 29th save.